Spitfire Mk IV, DP845, 1941

While researching my Spitfire III project I ran into DP845, the first (of two) Spitfire IV prototypes.  There was enough unique about it that I decided I had to make it, and put it alongside my Spitfire III.  I’ve since decided that if one is to have every mark of Spitfire on their shelf, then both the III and IV must be included, even if they are prototypes.

The Subject

Rolls Royce was developing the Griffon and when ready for aircraft installations the Air Ministry of course wanted one for the Spitfire.  It looked to be the next generation of engine that would take the basic Spitfire design and keep it current.  The Ministry was correct as eventually the Griffon Spitfire soldiered on with the RAF in the PR XIX to 1956!

In February 1941 a specification was finally written and by May 1941 a contract let with Supermarine for two prototypes: DP845 and DP851.  DP845 was first flown in November 1941 with DP851 following in December.

The purpose of the prototypes was to “explore the use of the Griffon on the Spitfire.”  However by March 1942 it was being referred to as the Mk XX; and soon thereafter the need arose for a fast, low level interceptor that could catch the hit and run incursions by the Luftwaffe Fw-190 Jabos.

Soon she became the Mk XII prototype (albeit still referred to as Mk XX), getting “c” wing armament, clipped wings and a broader pointed rudder for improved control over that large torque from the Griffon.  As the Mk XII prototype, DP845 looked no different from a standard Mk XII.

DP851 continued on as the Mk XX prototype, getting eventually converted to the Mk 21 prototype with the “new” wing.

The Model

This was nearly 2 years in the making.  I had two Mk XII kits, one from Xtrakit and the other from ABC.  The latter is a “limited run” kit even by my standards; very thick gates and not much detail.  In looking at the Mk IV I realized quickly that effectively DP845 had the basic XII fuselage, but with an early rudder and “a” wing.  So I resurrected my abandoned Tamiya Va conversion by rescuing the wing and mating that, with the landing gear and rudder, to the ABC fuselage.

This photo is my reference:

It shows unraked landing gear, standard rudder and “a” wing.  It also shows (if you look carefully) a split flap arrangement with the actuators just visible.  This was only initially fitted and quickly removed as not providing much improvement over the existing design.

DP845 later received a mock up of 6x 20mm cannon (!) before receiving the pointed rudder (referred to as the Mk XII rudder) later used on the Mk VIII and IX/XVI.  The Air Ministry settled on the “c” wing configuration, but wanted future Mk 20 series Griffon Spitfires to have an all cannon armament.

Construction was tedious.  The fuselage fought me the whole way, needing quite a bit of filler and basic line improvements to “look” like a proper Spitfire.  The wing/fuselage joint was “ok” and also needed filler and lots of fettling.  The prop is a vast improvement, albeit not quite right.  I carved and reshaped the kit prop quite a few times before accepting it would not be perfect.  The spinner is a unique shape, being neither Merlin nor Griffon production standard.

The biggest flaw in the entire model is the canopy.  I could not find any canopy that I could make to fit properly other than the misshapen kit canopy.  (sigh) I did what I could to clean it up, but eventually settled (again) for imperfection.

Painting was quite simple by comparison.  Dark Green, Ocean Grey and Trainer Yellow undersides.  Decals are spares.  All went down quite nicely.

Summary

I may redo this one some day.  Like when a mainstream Mk XII kit is produced.  Until then this kit was a learning experience…like my skills still have a ways to go.

I hope to put DP851 on the shelf in the future; CMR do a Mk 21 kit…

Thanks for looking…